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late sliding door onto older bus - help

Posted: 19 Jan 2011, 16:55
by Sir Chad
Hi I've got an '84 bus with a badly damaged sliding door and a good condition late sliding door.
what do i have to do to get the late slider to fit?? Paint shop have just told me the new door won't sit flush out at the back, i haven't seen it for myself yet.
Any advise much appreciated.
Thanks
Chad

Re: late sliding door onto older bus - help

Posted: 19 Jan 2011, 17:00
by R0B
I dont think they are interchangeable..

Re: late sliding door onto older bus - help

Posted: 19 Jan 2011, 18:37
by Sir Chad
I popped in and had a look, the old slider doesn't fit in the newer door.
I need to find out if a new slider will work on an old bus or if I can make an adaptor up. OR are the doors truly not swappable.
I know the door handles are different - but then i've got a what looks like a bay handle on my old door that doesn't match any of the others.

Re: late sliding door onto older bus - help

Posted: 19 Jan 2011, 20:41
by Plasticman
For all intents you wont fit a late door to an early van nor vice versa, yes I and others can make them fit but you dont really want to try go down that road,
sorry
mike

Re: late sliding door onto older bus - help

Posted: 19 Jan 2011, 21:29
by Sir Chad
Thanks for that but It looks like I've got no choice!
unless someone can tell me where I can get a early slider for less than the cost of my left arm.
I've spent a while trawling old posts and found a couple of ways of doing it.
I can get the middle rail and catch off of an 86 for free and can cut out the C pillar too.
The biggest problem I can see is getting the middle slider for a late door and the rest of the door furniture and glass as the late door I've got is stripped.
anyone breaking a late van with a trashed slider?

Re: late sliding door onto older bus - help

Posted: 19 Jan 2011, 22:48
by Cruz
There is a mega parts sale which includes a panel van sliding door. The seller says most is from an Aircooled van so this could be an easier option. just a window to cut in then

Re: late sliding door onto older bus - help

Posted: 19 Jan 2011, 23:14
by big red bus
Runners are differnet but main difference is your old door lock mounted flat where as the later door lock is on an angle. Can work but you will need later section of the lock striker and angle bracket it sits on. As said loads of hassle unless you have both early and late van sitting next to each other to look, it then becomes obvious that without loads of cutting welding, it won't fit.

Re: late sliding door onto older bus - help

Posted: 19 Jan 2011, 23:39
by Plasticman
Just how bad is your old door?pickies please
mike